Say Hello to Uber Malaysia’s First ‘Uber Baby’

We’ve heard rare occasions of babies born in the backseat and so has Uber driver, Roy Affendi Anuar, but little did he know that he was about to pick up three passengers plus one more on the way in his car!

Abdul Jamil Amil (centre) with daughter-in-law Norhashima Noordin (second from right) with the ‘Uber Baby’, Sufiyya in her arms together with the rest of the happy family. | Photography: Uber Malaysia

Abdul Jamil Amil, requested for an Uber ride to the hospital as his daughter-in-law, Norhashima Noordin, 29, went into labour in the wee hours of December 3rd – five days prior to her actual delivery due date on Dec 7th.

Jamil couldn’t drive due to his injury, so his recently downloaded Uber app was the first thing that came to mind.

Roy was actually on his way home but upon hearing of the emergency, he accepted the urgent request to pick up the family at their home in Bandar Enstek, Nilai.

However, as they were making their way to Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (which is a 56km trip from their place), the baby also made her way into the world, just 5 kilometers shy of reaching the destination!

“We were just 5km away when Norhashima gave birth in the car! My daughter-in-law was not due until 7th December, and her husband even planned his outstation trip to be back in time for the birth – we thought there was still time,” said Jamil.

He added that the incident happened so fast, the next thing they heard was the cry of a baby in the backseat of the Uber car.

“We were all in shock. I kept apologising for what happened but Roy was so kind and didn’t make a fuss – he just helped us all the way,” he said.

Both mother and baby were safely taken care of by medical personnel upon reaching the hospital.

Roy commented that he’s heard similar stories but never thought such a scenario would take place in his own car.

“It’s incredible. I was just happy to be able to provide a ride for Jamil and his daughter-in-law when they needed it the most,” said Roy who was dubbed as ‘hero of the day’ by Jamil.

The ‘Uber Baby’, Safiyya Auliya’ Muhammad Syahir, is the second child for Norhashima and her husband, Muhammad Syahir Abd Jamil, 27.

“I guess our baby girl had other ideas of how she wanted to enter into this world.”

“It’s a unique story that we’ll definitely talk about with her and her older sister for years to come. We are truly thankful to Roy for his saving help last night,” said Norhashima, who brought along her one-and-a-half year-old daughter who also witnessed the incident.